Can-straightener.



T. H. HART.

CAN STRAIGHTENER. APPLICATION FILED JUNE 18, 1908.

4 Patented Apr. '13, 1909.

BYMFZ' ATTORNEYS THE NORRIS Pzrzns ca, WASHINGTON, o. c.

THOMAS HENRY HART, OF EVERETT, MASSACHUSETTS.

GAN-STRAIGHTENER.

Application filed June 18, 1908.

To all whom may concern:

Be it known that l, THOMAS H. Hnnr, a subject of the King of Great Britain, and a resident of Everett, in the county of Suffolk and State of i /fassachusetts, have invented a new and Improved Can-Straightener, of which the following is a full, clear, and exact description.

T his invention is an improvement in that class of machines which are designed to re move the dents from and straighten sheet metal articles, more especially those having the shape of the conventional milk can.

The invention has for its purpose the pro- *ision of a construction comprising a sup porting former provided with surfaces arranged at an angle to each other adapted to respectively engage in the inside of the breast and body of a can, and a pivoted compressing former having corresponding surfaces for engaging the outside of the breast and body of the can opposite the supporting former.

Reference is to be had to the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification, in which similar characters of reference indicate corresponding parts in all the views.

Figure 1 is a side elevation of a can straightening machine embodying my invention; Fig. 2 is afragmentary view of the same partly in central vertical section and on an enlarged scale; and 3 is a front view of the construction illustrated in Fig. .3, showing the milk can in section.

in that form of my invention illustrated, a suitable supporting stand 5 is provided, the same preferably having a base of sub stantial area in order to render it firm and stable. To the standard or column of the stand is bolted or otherwise suitably secured the straightening mechanism, which consists of a bar having a forwardly-projecting supporting former or die 6 rigidly carried intermediate its length, an overhanging arm 7 at its upper end,- a movable compressing former or die 8 pivoted to the bar above the former 6, and a spring 9 extending between the movable former 8 and overhanging arm 7. The former 6 is rounded transversely on its upper face to conform to the inside of the can, and is oifset at a point between its ends to provide surfaces inclined to each other for respectively engaging and conforming to the body and breast of the can at the inside, as clearly illustrated in Fig. 2.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented April 13, 1909.

Serial No. 439,160.

The former 8, on its under face, is grooved or cut out longitudinally about two thirds of its width, as best shown at 10 in 5, leaving bearing faces at opposite sides which conform to the working face of the former (5. An opening is provided in the former 8, running in the direction of its length, for receiving a handle or hand lever 11 for forcing this former to the supporting former against the tension of the spring 9, the said handle being preferably constructed of wood in order that it will spring and eliminate all shock to the operator. The spring 9, operates as a counterbalance to assist in returning the compressing former after it has been depressed, thus making it unnecessary for the operator to lift this member after each blow on the can.

It will be noted that the compressing former 8 is made comparatively heavy, which permits the striking of the can a blow sufliciently hard to force or pound out all dents in the can lying between the two formers. By revolving the can manually or otherwise during this pounding or straightening operation, the entire surface of the body and breast may be passed between the formers and all dents and other irregularities removed. The angular movement of the compressing former, afforded by its pivotal connection, operates to first engage the breast of the can and force it to the inclined or offset surface of the former before the full force of the blow takes effect, which is obviously an advantage over such construction in which the compressing former moves vertically. The grooved or cut-out portion on the underside of the former 8 admits of the pr ng out of the dents easier than would be H the entire opposed surfaces of the formers contacted with the can. The groove also acts as a pocket to allow the metal to spring up as large dents are being forced down at the opposite sides of the formers.

Having thus described my invention, I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent:

1. The combination of a supporting former having surfaces arranged at an angle to each other adapted to respectively engage the inside of the breast and body of the can, and a compressing former having corresponding surfaces for engaging the outside of the breast and body of the can opposite the supporting former, and pivoted at that end adjacent to its can-breast engaging surface, whereby the latter will operate to first force the can breast against the can-breast-engaging surface of the supporting former in moving the formers together.

2. The combination of a support, a supporting former rigid therewith provided with surfaces arranged at an angle to each other adapted to respectively engage the inside of the breast and body of the can, and a pivoted compressing former having corresponding surfaces for engaging the outside of the breast and body of the can opposite the supporting former.

3. The combination of a supporting former, adapted to engage the inside of a sheet metal receptacle, and a compressing former enacting with the supporting former to straighten the receptacle and having a longitudinal groove between working surfaces.

In testimony whereof I have signed my name to this specification in the presence of two subscribing witnesses.

THOMAS HENRY HART. "Vitnesses JAMES S. STEVENSON, ALBERT N. CHITTENDEN. 

